Mattress-filling machine.



No. 707,745. Patented Aug. 26, I902.

K. WESSEL.

MATTRESS FILLING MACHINE.

, (Application filed Aug. 16, 1901.)

(No Ilodel.) 4 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 707,745. Patented Aug. 26, I902.

K. WESSEL. MATTRESS FILLING MACHINE.

' (Application filed. Aug. 16, 1901,

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-$heat 2.

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No. 707,745. Patented Aug. 26, I902.

K. WESSEL.

MATTRESS FILLING MACHINE.

(Application filed. Aug. 16, 1901.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

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MATTRESS FILLING MACHINE.

(Application filed Aug. 16, 1901.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

THE NOfiRIS PETERS cu FMOYO-LIIHDU WASHINGTON, u c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KARL WESSEL, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR TO THE CURLED FIBRE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, A CORPORATION OF DELAW'ARE.

MATTRESS-FILLING MACHINE. A

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,745, dated August 26, 1902.

Application filed August 18, 1901; Serial No. 72,277. (No model.)

.To all whom, it may concern. the inner walls of both chutes or formers con- Be it known that I, KARL \IVESSEL, acitizen verge toward each other, meeting at an apex of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in or gable 5. The said walls of said chutes or the county of Ramsey and State of Minneformers 4 are braced by means of channel- 5 sota, have invented certain new and useful beams 6 and angle-irons 7 to prevent them Improvementsin Mattress-Filling Machines; from bulging.

and I do hereby declare the following to be a Mounted in hangers on the lower edges of full, clear, and exact description of the inventhe cross-frames 3, atthe middle of the latter,

tion, such as will enable others skilled in the is the drive-shaft 8, carrying a pulley 9 at one 10 art to which it appertains to make and use the end and also carrying gear-pinions 10, intersame. meshing with gear-Wheels 11 on a counter- This invention relates to a novel construcshaft 12, journaled in hearings on the upper tion in a mattress-filling machine, the object ends of said cross-frames 3. The said gearbeing to provide a device of this description wheels 11 also i'ntermesh with gear-wheels 13 15 of simple construction which will work with on counter-shafts 14, journaled in bearings great rapidity and is easily adjusted for any upon -the upper ends of said standards 1. desired size, Weight, and qualityof mattress, The said gear-wheels 13 are provided with and it consists in the features of construct-ion crank-pins and are connected, by means of and combinations of parts hereinafter fully pitmen 15,with vertically-reciprocatingplun- 20 described and claimed. gers 16, moving in said chutesorformers 1.

In theaccompanyingdrawings,illustrating Each of said plungers 16 consists of a pluthis invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of ralityof parallel plates or slats 17, provided a machine constructed in accordance with with longitudinal slots 18 for the passage this invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of of the shaft 1% and with slots 19, 20, and

25 same on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. Sisade- 21, through the latter two of which bars 22 tail sectional View on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. pass and in the former of which the links of Fig. 4. is a detail sectional view on the line it a lazy-tong-lever connection '23 between all of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a detail view in elevation of said slats or plates are pivotally secured. of one of the plates of which the plungers are Said slatsor plates 17 are similarly connected 5o composed. Fig. (5 is a vertical longitudinal together at their upper ends by means of section of a modified form of this machine. lazy-tong levers 21. The said bars 22 pass Fig. '7 is a transverse section of same on the through. vertical slots 25 in the standards 1 line 7 7 of Fig. 6. Figs. 8 and 9 are detail and similar slots in movable side plates 26 in views of devices for retaining the filling masaid chutes or formers 4 and are secured at 5 terial in the forming-chute. Fig. 10 is a their ends to bars 27, to the lower ends of detail sectional view on the line 10 10 of which the pitn1enl5 are pivotallyconnccted. Fig. Said movable side plates 26 are provided with The preferred form of machine, as illusprojections 28, having right and left screwtrated in Fig. 1, comprises an iron frame conthreaded openings to receive the similarly- 0 sisting of four corner posts or standards 1, threaded ends of shafts 29, by turning which arranged in pairs, each pair being connected said side plates are moved toward or away together by means of the lower cross pieces from each other, therebyincreasing or de: I or beams 2 and nppercross-frames 3, the latcreasing the width of thechutes or formers 4L, ter being'adapted to form a support for the as may be desired." The said shafts 29, of

5 drive-gear. Between said pairs of standards which there are four, are geared together by 1 are formed two vertical forming-chutes or means of sprocket-wheels 30 and sprocketformers 4, the walls of" which are preferably chains 31 and are squared at their ends to composed of sheet metal secured at its ends receive cranks whereby theyare turned. Obto said standards 1. The upper inner wall of viously by turning one of said shafts the mo 50 each chute or former is turned inwardly, and tion is transmitted to all of same, thereby Ioo The points 32, at which the inner walls of the chutes or formers 4 extend inwardly toward each other, form the months or intakes of the chutes, and the lowerends of the plungersfmove from a given point below said mouths or intakes to a given point above the same, thereby allowing the filling for mattresses fed upon the inclined walls to fall into their paths and be forced into said chutes or formers. The lower ends of said chutes or formers 4 are curved outwardly, as at 33, the movable plates 26 beinglikewise curved, said curved portions extending through an arc of about sixty degrees. The lower ends of said plates 26 project from the mouths of said chutes or formers 4, as at 34, said projecting ends each carryinga channel-shaped member 35 of laterally telescopically adjustable delivery-chutes 36, forming thedelivery ends filling the same.

of said chutes or formers 4 and adapted to have mattress-covers drawn over same. The filling materialintroduced at the upper ends of the chutes or formers 4 is compressed by said plunger to a certain compactness in the manner of a bale and is graduallyforced through said chutes and the curved portions thereof into said delivery-chutes 36 and through the latter until such compact filling strikesthe end of the mattress-cover, whereupon it withdraws said mattress-cover while The degree of compactness or compression imparted to said filling is regulated partially by friction on the walls of the chute, but more particularly by the curved portions of same, in which the friction is greater than in the straight portion of the chute. The dimensions of the said curved portions for producing agiven degree of compactness to the filling has been determined by experiment, and as this degree of compactness is seldom or never varied in practice other means for regulatingsame are not essential but may be provided. The device "hereinafter described in connection with the modified form of machine shown in Figs. 6 to 9, inclusive, may be used if desired. Means are also provided for introducing a covering for the filling, which may cover the same on four sides or on t-op'and bottom only. It is generallydesired to cover such filling on top and bottom only. Hence in the drawings means for introducing such covering for top and bottom only are illustrated. For this purpose roll-cotton is used, although it is obvious that unrolled cotton might be employed. The rolls or the unrolled cotton folded or laid zigzag is introduced into receptacles 37 and 38, one of which is on each side of cach chute or former 4 adjacent its curved portion. The ends of the cotton are passed over rounded projections extending transversely across the machine on each side of each chute and thence through the lateral slots 39 in the side walls of the latter. The said covering'is engaged by the filling and drawn with same through the remaining portions of said chutes and into the mattresscover, said cotton being thus stretched very uniformly over the filling and having no wrinkles.

This machine is extremely simple, cheap, and efficient, introducing the filling at a uniform compression-and operating with great rapidity.' Besides this, it dispenses entirely with skilled laber.

In Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, is shown a modified form of this machine, in which the forming-chute lies horizontally. ch ute'is supported on legs and upon a bracket 40, secured at one end to a frame 41, carrying the drive mechanism. of the chute is extended rearwardly to rest upon said frame 41, and upon saidextended portion the plunger 42 moves. Said plunger may be constructed as shown in Figs. 2 and 3; but instead of being laterally adjustable it may be constructed, as shown in Fig. 6, to receive heads 43, varying in length to accord with various widths of the chute, the latter being laterally adjustable by means of the inner side plates 44, which are moved by means of the hand-screws 45. A plate 46, carrying an inclined plane 47, is mounted on said frame 41 and covers said plunger 42 when the latter is at the rearward limit of its movement. The filling material is fed upon said inclined plane 47 and slides down into the path of said plunger 42. The length of the latter is greater than the length of the open space between the inlet end of the form- Said forming-- ICC ing-chute and the plate 46, so that the filling material which is not forced into the forming-chute will rest upon said plunger and drop into said open space when said plunger reaches the rearward limit of its movement. Owing to the fact that the filling material is very bulky and light, it is necessary to provide means for forcing the same into the path of said plunger 42, and to this end a second plunger 48, carried by two parallel arms 49, pivotally mounted upon said bracket 40, is provided. Said plunger'48 receives its motion from said plunger 42 by means of the connecting-links 50 and enters said open space as said plunger 42 approaches the rearward limit of its movement, thereby forcing filling into the path of the latter. As said plunger 42 approaches the forward limit of its movement said plunger 48 moves to the position shown in dotted lines, thereby permitting further filling to drop into its path. In order to prevent filling once forced into said forming-chute from springing back into rality of teeth 52 and is normally held in the position shown in Figs. 6 and 8 by means of springs 53, actuating arms 54 on said shaft in an obvious manner. The head of the plunger42 engages said teeth 52 as it enters said forming-chute and turns said shaft 51 against the action of said springs 53. As said plunger moves rearwardly said teeth 52 resume their normal position,projectinginto the path of and preventing the filling from leaving said forming-chute. The delivery end of said chute or former is laterally adjustable, the

two parts of same being carried'by said side plates 44-and moving therewith. A slot 55 is.

provided between the main portion and the delivery-end portion of said formingchute for the admission of the cotton top, theroll of same lying upon the support 56 and passing down an inclined plane 57, leading from said support 56 to said slot 55. The mattress-cover is drawn over said delivery end and is gradually withdrawn by the filling as, the latter emerges from the chute. The end portion of the mattress is supported upon a table 58. Said plunger 42 receives its motion from bellcrank levers 59, pivoted upon the frame 41,;

being connected with one arm of each by means of links 60. The other arms of said bell-crank levers are connected with a crankshaft 61 by means of pitmen 62. In order to regulate the compactness or degree of compression imparted to the filling, two leafsprings 63 are fitted into recesses in the side plates 44 and are rigidlysecured therein at one end, the free ends being adapted to be engaged by set-screws 64:, passing through said side plates 44 to, force said free endsinwardly to contract said former laterally, whereby the resistance to the passage ofthe filling may beincreased or diminished at will and its compactness thus controlled. The said devices for preventing the filling from springing back out of the forming-chute as the plunger leaves the latter may also be provided on the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive; but it has been found that such devices are not essentialto perfect operation, and same are therefore omitted from the drawings to avoid complexity.

I claim as my invention- 1. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a forming-chute, means for ad justing the width thereof,a reciprocating feeding and packing plunger arranged to operate in said chute, means for continuously recipe rocating said plunger, and means whereby the width of said plunger is varied to correspond with the adjusted width of the forming-chute.

2. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a forming-chute adjustable in width, of a reciprocatory feeding and packing plunger also and correspondingly. adjustable in width, means for continuously reciprocating said plunger, and means for simul-j taneously effecting the adjustments in width of said chute and plunger.

3. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a forming-chute, and means for adjusting the width thereof,of a plunger-movable into and out of said forming-chute and adjustable in width, means for continuously reciprocating said plunger, and. connection between said plunger and said adjusting means for adjusting the width of said :forming-chute, whereby said plunger will. be adjusted in width simultaneously with said forming-chute.

4. In a mattress-filling machine, the combi nation with a forming-chute having laterallymovable side walls whereby the same is made adjustable inwidth, of a reciprocating plunger movable into and out of said chute,- means for presenting filling material to the action of V said plunger, whereby said filling materialis compressed into said chute in successive increments, means for adjusting the width of said plunger, connection between said,plun-.

ger and said side walls of said forming chute whereby the plunger will be adjusted in width 6. In a mattress-filling machine, the combi nation with a forming-chute, means for con tinuously feeding a filling thereto in succese sive increments, compressing said filling therein and forcing same therethrough, of devices for adjusting the width of said formingchute and said feeding and compressing means, and means controlling the degree of compactness or compression imparted. to said.

filling. j

7. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination of a feed chute orpassage adapted to receive a mattress or other cover over thedischargeend thereof, and means for feeding a filling material through said chute or passage, the sides of said feed chute or passage having openings therethrough to permit the application of alining to the surface of said material whereby the lining is engaged by thesurface of the filling material and is drawn therewith into and through the chute or passage, as and.

for the purpose set forth.

8. In a mattress-filling mach-ine,a feed chute or passage adapted. to receive a'mattress or other cover over the discharge end thereof,

means for continuously compressing a filling material into and feeding the same through.

said chute or passage and into said cover, said feed chute or passage'having openings therethrough whereby a lining may be introduced into said chute or passage, applied to thesur face of said filling material and engaged by and fed along with said material into said cover, as and for the purpose set forth.

9. In a mattress-fillingmachine, a chute or passage, a reciprocating plunger operating therein for feeding a filling material therethrough, a mattress or other cover adapted to receive said filling material from the discharge end of said chute or passage, said chute or passage provided with slots or openings, to receive linings thereth rough whereby said lining is engaged by and fed along with said material into said cover, as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a mattress-filling machine, a chute or passage constructed to receive a mattresscover over the delivery end thereof, means for delivering a filling material into said chute or passage, means for continuously feeding said material through said chute or passage and into saidcover, said chute or passage provided with slots adjacent the delivery end thereof through which a lining material for the surface of said material may be introduced into said chute or passage, said lining material being adapted to be engaged by said filling material and drawn into and through said chute or passage and into said cover, as

, and for the purpose set-forth.

11. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a forming-chute, a plunger, means for reciprocating the same into and out of one end thereof and adapted to force continuously filling in successive increments into and through said chute and compress same therein, of means for introducing a lining into said chute between the ends of the latter to be engaged by the surface of and forced through said chute with said filling.

12. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a reciprocating plunger, of a forming-chute in which said plunger moves and through which it is adapted to force a filling, a telescopically-adjustable mouth on said forming-chute adapted to have a mattress-cover drawn over same, and lateral slots in said forming-chute for introducing cotton to cover said filling and be drawn into the mattress-cover therewith.

13. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a reciprocating plunger comprising a plurality of parallel plates mounted side by side and relatively movable, whereby said plunger is adjustable in width, of a forming-chute in which said plunger moves and through which it is adapted to force a filling, means for adjusting the inner width of said formingchute, a telescopically-adjustable mouth on said forming-chute adapted to have a mattress-cover drawn over same, said forming-chute being provided with lateral slots for the introduction of cotton or other suitable covering for said filling, said filling being adapted to engage said covering to draw same through said forming-chute.

14. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a reciprocating plunger comprising a plurality of plates laterally movable and connected together by lazy-tong levers, whereby, by adjusting the distance between any two of said plates, the entire series will be similarly adjusted, of a forming-chute in which said plunger moves and through which it is adapted to force a filling, means for adjusting the inner width of said forming-chute, and a telescopically-adj ustable mouth on said forming-chute adapted to have a mattresscover drawn over same, said forming-chute being provided with lateral slots for the introduction of cotton or other suitable covering for said filling, said filling being adapted to engage said covering to draw same through said forming-chute.

1.5 In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a forming-chute, and plates laterally movable therein for adjusting the inner width thereof, of a plunger reciprocally movable in said forming-chute and adjust able in width to correspond with the width of said forming-chute, said plunger being connected with said plates and laterally rigid. therewith, whereby said forming-chute and said plunger are simultaneously adjusted, and a laterally telescopically adjustable mouth on said forming-chute adapted to have a mattress-cover drawn over same, said forming-chute being provided with lateral slots for the introduction of cotton or other suitable covering for said filling, said filling being adapted to engage said covering to draw same through said forming-chute.

16. In a mattressfilling machine,the combination with a forming-chute and plates laterally movable therein for adjusting the inner width thereof, of a plunger reciprocally movable in said forming-chute comprising a plurality of parallel plates mounted side by side and which are laterally movable and connected together by lazy-tong levers, whereby by adjusting the distance between any two of said plates the entire series will be similarly adjusted, said plunger being connected with the adjustable plates in said forming-chute forming-chute and said plunger are simultaneously adjusted in width, and a laterally telescopically adjustable mouth on said forming-chute adapted to have a mattress-cover drawn over same, said forming-chute being provided with lateral slots for the introduc tion of cottonor other suitable covering for said filling, said filling being adapted to engage said covering to draw same through said forming-chute.

17. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a forming-chute curved at its delivery-end portion and carrying a laterally telescopically adjustable mouth adapted to have a mattress-cover drawn over same, of laterally-movable plates fitting within said forming-chute and adapted to adjust the inner width of same, a plunger longitudinally movable in said forming-chute and laterally and laterally rigid therewith, whereby said roams adjustable, said plunger being laterally rigid with said plates and adjustable by moving said plates.

18. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a forming-chute curved at its delivery end portion and carrying a laterally telescopically adjustable mouth adapted to have a mattress-cover drawn over same, of laterally-movable plates fitting within said forming-chute and adapted to adjust the inner width of same, a plunger longitudinally movable in and adapted to force a filling through said forming-chute, comprising a series of parallel slats mounted side by side and connected with a set of lazy-tong levers whereby by adjusting the distance between any two of said slats the entire series will be similarly adjusted, the two outer slats of said series being laterally rigidly connected to said laterally movable plates in said formingchute, whereby when said plates are adjusted said plunger is simultaneously adjusted in width to correspond with the Width ofsaid forming-chute.

19. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a forming-chute curved at its delivery-end portion and carrying a laterally telescopically adjustable mouth adapted to have a mattress-cover drawn over same, of laterally-movable plates fitting within said forming-chute and adapted to adjust the inner width of same, a plunger longitudinally movable in and adapted to force a filling through said forming-chute, comprising a series of parallel slats mounted side by side and connected with a set of lazy-tong levers whereby by adjusting the distance between any two of said slats the entire series will be similarly adjusted, the two outer slats of said series being laterally rigidly connected to said laterallymovable plates in said formingchute, whereby when said plates are adjusted said plunger is simultaneously adjusted in width to correspond with the Width of said forming-chute, said forming-chute being provided with lateral slots for the introduction of cotton or other suitable covering for said filling, said filling being adapted to engage said covering to draw same through said forming-chute.

20. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a reciprocating plunger adjustable in width, of a laterally-adjustable forming-chute coacting with said plunger to form a mattress-fillin g, said plunger being adapted to continuously deliver said filling in increments into and move the same through said forming-chute, said forming-chute being provided with lateral slots for the introduction of cotton or other suitable covering for said filling, the surface of said filling being adapted to engage said covering to draw same through said forming-chute.

21. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a vertically-reciprocating plunger, of a forming-chute coacting with said plunger, said forming-chute being curved on its delivery end so as to deliver said mattressfilling laterally, at an angle,to that portion of saidforming-chute in which said plunger operates.

22. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a plunger, of a forming-chute 'coactingwith said plunger, said forming-ch11 te ger, means for forcing said filling into the path ofsaid plunger, and devices at the mouth of said forming-chute adapted to be moved out of the path of the incoming filling and project behind the same to prevent said filling from leaving said mouth of said formingchute, the delivery end of said forming-chute being adapted to receive a mattress-cover, whereby said filling will enter said mattresscover thereovcr and Withdraw same from said forming-chute, substantially as described.

24. A mattress-filling machine, comprising a forming-chute, means for adjusting the width of said forming-chute, a plunger movable into and out of one'end'of said formingchute, means forcontinuously presenting filling material in front and into the path of said plunger, said forming-chute being provided with a slot adjacent the rear end of same through which a cotton fabric or top is adapted to be inserted to be engaged by the surface of said filling, the rear end of said formingchute comprisingan open-ended casingadapted to receive a mattress-cover which said filling and said cotton fabric or top are adapted to enter and which serve to withdraw said cover from said forming-chute, substantially as described.

25. In a mattress-filling machine, the combination with a forming-chute, adjustable in width and having an open-ended casing forming a delivery end adapted to receive a mattress-cover telescoped thereover, of devices for continuously presenting filling material into said forming'chute and forcing same therethrough and into said mattress-cover, said forming-chute being provided with a slot between its ends adapted to admit a layer of suitable material adapted to form a top for said filling, the latter being engaged by the surface of said filling and drawn thereby through said forming-chute and into said mattress-cover therewith, substantially as debetween its ends with a transverse slot adapted to admit a lining material, of a reciprotress-cover, the surface of said filling engaging said lining material and drawing same eating plunger adapted to receive a separate therewith into said mattress-cover, substanhead to correspond with each variation in the 5 width of said forming-chute and operating into and out of the other end of said formingchute, and means for continuously presenting filling material into the path of said plunger, whereby said filling is forced into and 10 through said forming-chute into said mattially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

KARL VESSEL. Witnesses:

THos. K. OTTIS, GUY CHASE. 

